Neil Lennon blasts "rubbish" referee

Bolton Wanderers manager Neil Lennon has blasted referee Roger East for his "rubbish" performance in Wednesday's 2-1 FA Cup fourth-round replay defeat to Liverpool.

The Trotters looked on course for the fifth round after Eidur Gudjohnsen converted from the spot after a contentious penalty decision at the Macron Stadium.

However, Lennon's side went down to 10 men after Neil Danns picked up a second yellow card, before Raheem Sterling and Philippe Coutinho struck in the final five minutes.

"I thought he was rubbish," he told BBC Sport. "I thought he spoiled what was a very good game.

"The first booking Neil Danns gets isn't a booking. He doesn't make contact and it's his first challenge of the game. I thought there were other things that went on in the game that went Liverpool's way.

"I understand the sending-off and I told Neil at half time he had to be careful but the first one wasn't a yellow card. I don't think the referee had a choice with the second yellow card."

Wanderers, who sit 14th in the Championship, travel away to promotion-chasing Derby County on Saturday.